Gray Areas Prologue
Well hello lovelies! Here is the first chapter of the new story I was talking about. Please let me know what you think!^.^
"The great thing about new friends is that they bring new energy to the soul."
-Shanna Rodriguez
o0o0o0o0o0o Gray Areas o0o0o0o0o0o
A drab, gray sky overlooked the lifeless yard of Hell Hall as a small boy with black hair with frosted tips dressed in black, white, and red washed the impressively long red car that belonged to Cruella De Vil. Little sniffles escaped the boy while he scrubbed at the crusted on mud that covered the exterior of the vehicle. At the gate of the estate, there was a little girl who looked to be one year older than the boy who was dressed in dark Greek robes with long, knee length black hair that looked to be dipped in light blue that faded up into the black. The little girl had been walking by when she had heard the stifled cries from the boy. Should I help him, she debated while glancing over to the car. It doesn't look like he would be able to clean that all by himself . Unlike the other parents on the Isle, the girl's parents did not treat her badly nor did they push her to behave like a villain. They only wished for her to be happy. So, in result to how they raised her, she thought more like an Auradon kid with some VK spice. This may seem unusual for villain parents, but her parents are in themselves unusual. Her father is Hades, Greek god of the Underworld while her mother is Persephone Greek goddess of the Underworld in the fall and winter and the Greek goddess of spring in the spring and summer. While you might be familiar with how Hades tried to take over Mt. Olympus, what Zeus, the gods, Hercules, and Megara said happened wasn't the full story. Hades had only tried to overthrow Zeus because he was jealous of the light that always surrounded the King of the Gods. At the time his usual ball of sunshine Persephone was away with her mother so his plan was able to take fruition unhindered. After the disastrous failure, Zeus had banished Hades to the Underworld and the Isle of the Lost. Persephone on the other hand could come and go as she always had. Anyways, back with the story. The little girl loved to explore around the Isle and she always saw the poor boy slaving away. At first the girl had restrained herself from helping because she knew that most villains taught their children to be nasty and to reject kindness. However, after seeing this go on for weeks, she was finally breaking. That's it, she thought with determination. I'm going to help him. Silent as the dead, the girl glided over to the boy's side to tap on his shoulder. A yelp left him as he jumped a foot in the air before he slowly turned to face the girl.
"Hello," she greeted in a bell chime like voice.
"H-Hi," stammered the boy when he got a good look at her. He couldn't help but think that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
"My name is Nicola. What is yours?"
"Carlos De Vil, son of Cruella De Vil."
There was a pause while the boy's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Who is your parent? I don't remember seeing you around before."
"My father is Hades god of the Underworld and my mother is Persephone goddess of spring and the Underworld."
Carlos's eyes about bugged out of his head as soon as the words registered in his mind.
"That means you're a ….,"
"Goddess, yes."
"What are you doing here?" Carlos asked curiously before hastily adding. "If you don't mind my asking."
"I don't mind," she giggled happily. "I came to help you wash the car."
This time his eyes widened in shock and his mouth opened and closed in an attempt to talk but no words came out. For a few seconds Nicola waited patiently for Carlos to find his voice so that he could voice his opinion.
"B-B-But," he protested to which Nicola replied by placing her finger on his lips.
"It's alright Carlos," she grinned mischievously at him. "If anyone asks, I forced you to let me help so that I didn't have to hear you complain about the work."
A grateful smile appeared on his face before Nicola snapped her fingers causing the ground to tremble. A scream left Carlos in his terrified state as a fissure appeared in the ground. Nicola on the other hand waited calmly for the ground to stop shaking and the skeletons to crawl out. Another shout left Carlos as he fell to the ground paralyzed in his fear. When five skeletons had crawled out, the ground closed up flawlessly and the Underworldly residents stood at attention in a straight line.
"Alright men," Nicola began in an authoritative voice. "I want you all to help with washing this car until it shines. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Mistress Nicola!" came a unified shout from the skeletons. They then wasted no time in tackling the task with vigor. Upon seeing their amazing work ethic, Nicola made to join the group when Carlos clutching onto the bottom of her robes stopped her.
"Wh-Wha-What are they?" Carlos asked breathlessly at the sight of the dead being reanimated. "How did you use magic? I thought we couldn't."
"They are skeletons from the Underworld," Nicola explained easily. "As for what I did, I am a goddess. Using my powers weakens me slightly but I can use as much as I like. If you humans were to use your magic here, you would probably be sick to your stomach after two or three spells. Is there anything else?"
Dazed Carlos shook his head and let go of Nicola so she could jump into the fray of soap suds and water.
Within fifteen minutes the red car shone and the five skeleton helpers backed back up into a straight line while Carlos finally stood from the ground.
"Are you alright Carlos?" Nicola asked the pale, well paler, boy while rubbing his back in soothing circles.
"Yeah. I was just shocked."
"That's understandable. Not many people are used to seeing the dead brought back to life."
There was a pause.
"Is there anything else that needs to be done for your chores?"
"No."
Nicola nodded before she turned to the skeletons.
"Men, I have new orders for you! You are to serve this boy Carlos De Vil. You are to obey all of his orders regardless of what they are. If he says he wants you to jump you say…,"
"How high," chorused the skeletons.
"Excellent!"
"Wait!" Carlos tried to pipe up but was drowned out by Nicola's voice.
"Now I want you to wait right by the front door until Master De Vil returns."
"Yes, Mistress Nicola!"
Once the group of undead lined up by the door, Nicola grabbed Carlos's hand and pulled him after her out of the gate.
"C'mon Carlos! Let's go play!"
"Play?" Carlos echoed in equal parts confusion and nervousness. Nicola seemed to sense his apprehension so she slowed to a stop and turned to face him.
"Yeah. Haven't you played with your friends before?"
Carlos instantly looked down at the ground at her question.
"I don't have any friends," he mumbled under his breath in hopes that Nicola wouldn't hear him. But she did.
"Then I'll be your friend," Nicola beamed at the smaller boy which had him blushing. "How about we head over to my house on the Isle and we can talk more?"
The beginnings of tears gathered in Carlos's eyes but Nicola put a stop to them with a firm tug. "C'mon Carlos. We're burning daylight."
"Why are you being so nice to me?" Carlos asked skeptically.
"I am nice to you because I want the both of us to be friends," Nicola answered softly. "I have watched you suffer for three weeks and I couldn't bring myself to ignore you. I want to make sure that you're happy, that you're fed, and that you're safe. I guess you could say that I think of you as a little brother."
At the mention of the words 'little brother' a light of hope shone in Carlos's chocolate brown eyes.
"Do you mean it? That you'll be my big sister?"
"Of course I will. If you want me to be."
A squeeze of her hand was the only answer she got along with a small smile. "Is there anywhere you would like to go Carlos?"
"No. I'm fine with wherever you want to go."
With that in mind Nicola picked up walking again through the town with Carlos holding her hand tight.
"So, what do you like to do Carlos?"
"I like to tinker with machines," he offered hesitantly. "I find bits and pieces around and I make things with them."
"Aren't you a clever boy," Nicola giggled as she tapped Carlos's nose with her index finger. Carlos's brilliant smile and puff of his little chest was more than enough to convey his pride. Nicola made to open her mouth to say something when shouting could be heard ahead of them. All of Nicola's fighting instincts screamed at her to tense up her muscles to fight and to keep Carlos away from the violence. However, Nicola battled against staying in that one spot to instead head towards the shadows.
"Carlos, I want you to hold onto me and close your eyes," Nicola ordered in a stern tone that had the little boy scrambling to do as she said. "Do not open your eyes until I tell you and above all else, do not let go."
With Carlos clutching tightly to the taller girl, Nicola allowed the shadows to swallow the both of them up. A little ripple could be seen traveling through the shaded Isle until it stopped at the sight of a young boy a year older than Nicola and two years older than Carlos with long dark hair fending off four adults with bursts of red magic. While at first glance the boy looked like he was holding his own, Nicola could spot the greenish tint to the carmel tone of his face. Upon seeing this Nicola appeared from the shadows with Carlos and crouched by a stack of barrels.
"Alright Carlos. You can let go and open your eyes now. I have something to take care of."
As soon as Nicola uttered the words, Carlos let go of her and looked up at her in confusion.
"Nicola, what-," He didn't get to finish his question for she shot out from the barrel stack towards the fray. "Nicola!"
That didn't seem to faze her for she jumped to execute a jump spin hook kick that knocked one of the men away from the boy. A shout of surprise and pain left the man while the others were left to stare in awe at the little girl.
"Fuck," one of the men breathed out.
"Step away from the boy," she glared at the men, effectively making their blood turn to ice with her silver gaze. Even though to their eyes the men could see a little girl, they felt like death itself was staring right into their souls.
"Who are you," one of the braver men ventured after glancing up from the man who had been knocked out by Nicola's kick.
"I am Nicola, daughter of Hades and Persephone. I would appreciate it if you left."
"But that little thief-," another tried to reason with her only to be cut off by her.
"I do not care. Leave him alone. He is under my protection and to harm him is to receive my ire. Is this quite clear?"
The men wanted to argue further but once they saw how the blue part of Nicola's hair began to dance softly like flames, they relented.
"This is not over you filthy street rat," yet another man spat at the ill boy as the group picked up their fallen friend and fled the scene. Once Nicola could not see the men anymore, she let out a deep sigh and loosened up her posture.
"Carlos, you can come out now," she called out to the terrified little boy.
"Nicola!" he exclaimed with worry as he ran to her and latched onto her while crying slightly. "I thought you were going to get hurt."
"I'm fine Carlo," she assured him while she held onto him. "I'm alright."
"Why did you help me?" questioned the queasy boy who looked like he couldn't stand straight.
"Because you looked like you needed the help," Nicola answered quickly. "Right now it looks like you need some rest."
"I don't need your help," the boy snarled weakly while attempting to walk away only to fall flat on his face.
"Apparently," Nicola remarked sarcastically. "Now because you've managed to push yourself so hard, I'll have to take you to my home."
The boy grew scared at that and tried in vain to push himself to his feet to get away. Nicola rolled her eyes at the boy's stubbornness as she strolled over to the boy with Carlos clinging to her robes. As she got closer, the boy's struggle grew and grew until he all but passed out when she arrived right beside him.
"The more you struggle, the more you'll have to rest," Nicola told him in a warning tone before she scooped him up easily into her arms. Carlos had wide eyes at Nicola's strength but kept his strong hold on her. "Carlos, we're traveling like how we did before so I need you to hold on and close your eyes again."
Again Carlos was quick to comply which led the group of three traveling through the shadows until the shadows led to a secluded cottage three stories tall that had thick vegetation only around the perimeter. People would question the presence of such beauty, but a thick veil of Mist kept any unwanted visitors from venturing into the property.
Nicola did not stop to let the boys off in the yard. Instead she shadow traveled into the library on the first floor that had a comfortable couch and a roaring fire. All three children easily spilled from the shadows and Nicola quickly deposited the nearly unconscious boy onto the couch and told Carlos to let go and to watch over the sick boy. She then disappeared quickly to the kitchen where she quickly threw together a bowl of chicken broth for the sick boy and a cup of hot cocoa and sugar cookies for herself and Carlos. Within minutes she was back in the room, giving the tray to Carlos while taking the bowl of broth for the nameless boy. Being half conscious left the boy delirious making him accept the nourishment happily versus his earlier treatment of yelling and snapping. To be easy on his stomach, Nicola let the broth trickle into his mouth small mouthful by small mouthful until it was gone then covered up the boy so that he could get some rest.
"What are these?" Carlos gushed happily while munching on some sugar cookies.
"These are sugar cookies," Nicola smiled. "They're soft little pastries that are sprinkled with sugar. And the drink I gave you is hot chocolate so I would be careful drinking it. I don't want you burning your lips or mouth."
"How did you get these? We can't get anything like this on the Isle."
"Well, I didn't get them from the Isle."
Carlos nearly choked on his cookie at her confession.
"Then where did you get them?"
"Auradon."
This time Carlos did choke on his cookie which resulted in his hacking and Nicola worriedly patting his back.
"What do you mean from Auradon?" he choked out once he regained his voice.
"I mean that in the spring and summer, Mommy and I go to Auradon and I stock up on things to bring back with me to the Isle."
"And they let you?"
"Well, I hide them in a bag that is enlarged on the inside so they don't really know," I confessed guiltily. "When I tried this human food I kind of got addicted."
All Carlos did was laugh to which Nicola joined merrily.
"What do you like to do Nicola. You asked me earlier but I didn't get a chance to ask you."
"Well, I like to sing, gardening, history, cooking, reading, and training."
"Training?"
"My Uncle Ares believes that no matter if a person if a girl or boy that they should learn to fight. Whenever I go to Auradon, he trains me to fight like how I did back at the market and with weapons."
"Wow," Carlos breathed in awe. "Could you teach me Nicola?"
"When you get older definitely," she agreed. "Right now you're a bit too small."
"But you're only a year older than me," he pouted slightly.
"But I am a goddess and you're a human," I reminded him gently.
"You're right Nicola," he sighed before the two began talking again. About half an hour later the nameless boy was beginning to stir.
"Oh good, you're awake," Nicola breathed in relief when the stranger's dark eyes opened.
"Where am I?" were the first panicked words that flew from his mouth at the unfamiliar scene around him. "Who are-It's you! I thought I told you I was fine! You could have just left me there!"
Nicola was wise to stay quiet and let the boy vent out his frustration and confusion before she said anything.
"Not only that but why did you save me?! I would have been fine on my own! I don't need a girl fighting my battles for me!"
When the boy did not make to shout anymore, Nicola calmly answered him.
"Hello, my name is Nicola and I am the daughter of Hades and Persephone. the reason I saved you is because it looked like those men were going to kill you after you had passed out from using magic. I couldn't just let that happen. As for fighting your battles I will not fight them for you. I will simply help you if you need it."
The boy looked skeptically at the girl as he slowly sat up on the couch.
"You didn't answer where I am."
"You didn't give me your name."
"I'm Jay, son of Jafar."
"Nice to meet you Jay," Nicola smile brightly. "This is Carlos, son of Cruella De Vil."
Poor Carlos could only wave from all the sugar cookies he he had shoved into his mouth. He looked like a chipmunk. Nicola giggled at the sight while Jay look slightly disturbed but turned his attention back to the girl in front of him. For the last part of her laugh, Jay was able to fully appreciate the heavenly sound. Just like Carlos had thought earlier, Jay thought that Nicola was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
"As for where you are, you are in my home on the Isle. I couldn't exactly take you down to the Underworld."
"Right," Jay drawled. "Thanks for the help but I got to go. My Dad is expecting me."
"Alright, but if you ever want to come back, you are more than welcome," Nicola offered sweetly to which Jay blushed slightly at.
"Yeah, sure. Catch you both later."
Like her mother, the ever hospitable hostess, Nicola showed Jay to the door and where to go to head back to his father's shop.
"Do you think that he'll be alright?" Carlos asked Nicola.
"Yes, I'm sure he'll be fine."
It wasn't until three years later that Jay got into trouble again. As per the habit during the fall and winter, Nicola and Carlos took to walking to Nicola's house from Hell Hall which lead to the discovery. A large crowd had gathered in the marketplace that had the duo stopping their walk.
"What's going on over there?" a now eight year old Carlos questioned curiously.
"I don't know," Nicola admitted. "Do you want to go see?"
Carlos was already drawn into the crowd as he nodded. Nicola smiled and skillfully got the two of them through the dense throng of people so that they were part of the inner ring of spectators. The first thing that came to their attention was the five men that were beating up whoever was on the ground.
"That poor person," Nicola whispered sadly until she caught sight of familiar carmel skin and long black hair.
"That's Jay," Carlos gasped as soon as Nicola noticed. Nicola's body seemed to switch to autopilot as she ran to the men. Unlike her kick from before, Nicola tackled three on the men down before she roundhouse kicked and sweep kicked the remaining two men. When she turned to take stock of Jay, she saw the blood and bruises all over his body. Her eyes narrowed upon the sight and her vision turned red when she turned to glare at the men who had stumbled back up.
"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded in a scary quiet voice.
"He stole from us again," the leader fired back with heat. "We told you that we would get him back for his sticky fingers."
"And what did I tell you about him? He is under my protection so be prepared for my wrath."
And like that she tore into the men leaving them black and blue and knocked out.
"Carlos!" Nicola shouted for her little brother figure that had him running towards Nicola and Jay. "Let's get to a secluded spot. We need to get to my home and patch Jay up."
Carlos only nodded and ran beside Nicola as she sought out a less populated part of the Isle where the three shadow traveled to Nicola's house. Just like three years ago Nicola deposited Jay on the couch in the library except this time Nicola left ordered Carlos to grab the first aid kit Nicola kept in the kitchen along with a bowl of hot water. He was quick to bring it back to see Nicola's hands over Jay's body emitting a golden light.
"He has some broken ribs and one punctured his right lung. He also has a fractured femur and various cuts and scrapes. I'll have to heal his major wound and dress up his minor ones. He was smart keeping his head covered and protected. Carlo, would you be a dear and go grab some orange, green, and blue seeds from my herb cupboard along with my mortar and pestle and some cool water? After that you can help yourself to anything in the kitchen while I patch him up.
"Are you sure Nicci?"
"Of course I am. Now please hurry." With that Carlos disappeared again while Nicola slaved away with her Uncle Apollo's gift of healing and medicine fixing Jay's broken bones and punctured lung. Carlos came back halfway through the process but stayed to watch Nicola work over the unconscious Jay. Once she had finished with that Nicola ground up the colorful seeds and added water to the mix. She then helped Jay drink all of it before she set to work washing Jay of his blood and bandaging his minor bleeding wounds. When all of this was done she flopped down on the ground with a great gust of air leaving her in relief.
"And done," she sighed pushing her hair back from her face.
"Was that the gift you got from your Uncle Apollo?" Carlos asked the clearly drained girl.
"Yep. I've never been so happy about in my life until now," she confessed.
"Do you need some ambrosia and nectar?"
"Just a square of ambrosia and a small glass of nectar," she confirmed gratefully. "Just make sure not to drink any of it. It will burn you up from the inside out faster that you can say Auradon."
Carlos gulped in fear at her words, but he none the less ventured back out to the kitchen to wrestle up Nicola's request while he made himself a sandwich and grabbed a glass of apple juice. All the while Carlos was making the snack, Nicola was dutifully looking after Jay making sure that he wasn't uncomfortable.
"I got your snack," Carlos announced when he slipped back into the room, and handed Nicola her food and drink.
"Thank you so much Carlo," Nicola smiled up at him. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You're welcome Nicci. I'm always happy to help."
The two both ate in silence until the sky began to darken.
"You're welcome to stay the night," Nicola offered Carlos. "We have your room on the second floor all set up for you.
"Thanks Nicci. Is there anything you need before I head up to bed?"
"No, I'm fine. Goodnight Carlo."
"Goodnight Nicci."
With that Carlos headed up to bed while Nicola continued to take care of Jay through the night until she clonked out about a few hours before dawn.
When Jay awoke the next morning, he noted how he was warm and he didn't hurt as bad as he had expected. This confused him greatly. He was so sure the shopkeepers had beaten him to a bloody pulp when he tried to steal with his magic again. Wait, he thought. I've felt this before. The last time I felt like this was when that Nicola gir helped me out some time ago. Am I at her house again? To test his theory, he cracked open an eye to see the same girl he was thinking about passed out at his side, her head resting on her folded arms on the couch next to his body. Jay's eyes widened at the sight but when the sight registered in his mind, Jay began to blush. She looks so cute when she's asleep, he couldn't help but think. Did save me again? At the thought Jay gave an aggravated huff before he fell back on the couch. I'm so stupid, he thought. I was doing so good until I goofed up for just a second. The jostling of Jay's body seemed to wake Nicola for she had sat up and had rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"Jay, you're awake," she yawned. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling a little sore," he admitted regretfully. "But I'll live."
"Oh thank goodness," she breathed in relief. "Are you in serious pain? I can make you some medicine."
"I'm fine Nicola," he gruffly insisted. "You don't have to fuss over me anymore. I know where the door is so I'll just-,"
"No, you aren't," she argued firmly, taking Jay aback in surprise. He had only heard her talk like that when she had been talking to his assailants. "You are going to stay until you get some food in you."
" I can't so that Nicola," he tried again to get out of the house. "I can't take your food. Not after when you did for me."
"I'm not taking no for an answer."
"You are so stubborn," Jay sighed in defeat.
"So are you," Nicola fired back playfully.
All Jay did was roll his eyes at her.
"So what are we eating?"
"Hmm, I'll see when we get to the kitchen. Can you stand? Do you need help walking?"
"Nicola, chill," Jay scoffed, easily hopping up from the couch. "Stop being such a worry wort."
The two left the library to the entryway where they met Carlos.
"Good morning Nicci," he greeted his big sister. "You work wonders. Morning Jay."
"Good morning Carlo," Nicola replied happily while Jay only nodded.
"What do you want for breakfast Carlo?"
"Chocolate chip pancakes and bacon," he beamed.
"Chocolate chip pancakes and bacon it is," Nicola agreed.
"Chocolate?" Jay echoed in confusion.
"You'll see Jay," Carlos said excitedly. "You'll love it!"
All three children filed into the kitchen where Nicola began bustling about making breakfast. Carlos came to sit at the table in the middle of the room while Jay continued to stand feeling out of place.
"Go on and sit with Carlo," Nicola encouraged him with a bright smile that had a fluttering feeling in Jay's chest and stomach to start. He was quick to slide into a seat across from Carlos.
"So, how are you feeling Jay?" Carlos questioned the older boy.
"Fine, I guess," Jay answered, unnerved by the kindness and concern he received from the two Isle natives.
"That's great. You were a mess yesterday. Nicci said you had broken ribs, one put a hole in one of your lungs and a broken f-fe-fem- a broken leg bone."
Jay looked shocked at what he heard. According to Carlos, he should have died yesterday.
"How am I not dead?"
"Nicci saved you," Carlos replied easily. "She has some great magic. She healed your big stuff while cleaning your cuts."
"Wh-Why did she do that?"
"I don't know," Carlos shrugged. "That's just Nicci. She can't let people hurt or die like that."
Jay seemed to reel in the information. He simply couldn't wrap his mind around the girl who had saved his life last night. How was he supposed to pay her back after she did something like that? He couldn't protect her more than she already protected herself. He could possibly watch over Carlos when Nicola wasn't around. He could give her some presents. An aggravated noise left him at the headache he was giving himself just as Nicola sat a plate in front of him.
"I already buttered and put syrup on your pancakes," Nicola told him. "Eat up."
Jay watched Nicola and Carlos pick up silverware and eat so he tried his best to mimic them. As soon as the food touched his tongue, his eyes widened in surprise and happiness before he dug into the rest of his food. Nicola giggled at the silly sight Jay presented while she wiped Carlos's face clean of any food he had gotten on his cheeks or chin. Jay was the first one finished with breakfast so took that time to look down at the empty plate. He had never tasted anything that delicious and he didn't know when he would taste anything like this again.
"Do you want more?" Nicola asked him.
His heart leapt.
"Can I?"
"Of course you can."
With that she took his plate and filled it up with more food and deposited her dishes in the sink. She also gave Carlos a second helping before she slid back into her seat.
"What do you think?" Nicola inquired to Jay.
"It's great," Jay smiled. "I didn't know food could taste so good."
"Auradon food can taste even better," Nicola commented offhandedly which had Jay dropping his fork.
"Auradon?!"
"Yeah. In the spring and summer Mommy and I go to Auradon and I bring food back with me."
"And they let you?"
"Well, they don't exactly know," Nicola blushed. "I sort of have an addiction to human food."
He looked at her in disbelief that had Nicola blushing even more under his scrutiny.
"What?" she managed to get out past her embarrassment.
"I thought you would be perfect."
This confused Nicola and Carlos greatly.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Nicola ventured.
"A good thing," Jay clarified.
Just like he had seen Nicola do, he put his empty dishes in the sink.
"I think this is a good time for me to head back to my father's shop."
"Don't be a stranger this time," Nicola told him. "You are welcome here any time. Even in the Spring and Summer."
Jay was once again taken aback by Nicola's kindness, but he was able to get over it quickly.
"I'll see you around Nicola, Carlos."
"I count on it," Nicola said.
"Bye Jay!"
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o Gray Areas o0o0o0o0o0o0o
There we go, now I have two new stories up for you lovelies to enjoy. I hope you like them. Anyways, on with the usual. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please feel free to review or pm me. Remember reviews are magic! ^.^
-White Wolf